JP 2019 May Kumamoto

Visited northern Kyushu in mid-May for 12 days – beginning of the Reiwa-era. It’s our 6th visit in Kyushu and 4th time driving in Kyushu.  The main goal was to visit rural landscapes in Mt Aso for new lush green, blooming of Miyama-Kirishima (mountain azaleas) and other Spring flowers from mid-May.

Overall itin
Kumamoto (2n) > Takachiho > Mt Aso (2n) > Kuju-koen > Kurokawa (1n) > Kokonoe “yume” bridge > Yufuin (1n) > Beppu (2n) > Usuki  > Fukuoka (3n)

 

Kumamoto

After landing in Fukuoka, took Kyushu Shinkansen to Kumamoto direct in less than 1 hour.

Aerial views before landing in Fukuoka

 

As the Kumamoto Castle has been under major repair since the earthquake in 2016, we dropped by the visitor centre and outer rim where access was permitted. A partial re-opening has been scheduled in October 2019.

 

 

 

Suizenji Jojuen (水前寺成趣園)

It was an easy stroll in the beautiful landscape garden.  A graceful white crane was in the pond and it became the subject of many shots, apart from reflections.

Worthy to mention is the mini-Mt Fuji in lush green 🙂

 

Dinner in local izakaya serving fresh seafood from Amakusa. We did not order Sakura-niku (horse sashimi) which is a local specialty.

 

===>   Takachiho  ===>

 

 

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